Every October, Black History Month offers a vital space to reflect, reconnect and reimagine the stories that define Black roots. For us, it’s not only a moment to celebrate the achievements of Black Britons past and present, as well as the wider black community, but also to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to championing equality and representation, which sit at the heart of what we do.
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This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” has felt especially meaningful. It speaks to the strength and resilience that continue to guide Black communities across generations, from activists and artists to educators, leaders, and everyday people who challenge injustice and create space for others to thrive.
At ARE, we approached this month not just as a time for commemoration, but as an opportunity to honour legacy while looking forward. Through events, storytelling, and creative expression, our team came together to highlight those who embody what it means to stand firm — with courage, conviction, and pride in their identity and heritage.
While this month gives us the space to celebrate and remember, its true purpose extends far beyond October. It is a reminder that Black history is British history, woven into our everyday lives, our institutions, and our shared culture.
Honouring the people who have made a tangible, lasting impact shouldn’t be confined to a single month, but carried forward throughout the year in how we listen, learn, and lead.
Honouring a trailblazer in Winifred Atwell (Blue Plaque Event)
We began this year’s celebration with a moment of pride and remembrance, joining English Heritage for the unveiling of a Blue Plaque honouring pianist Winifred Atwell, a trailblazer who broke barriers and paved the way for generations of Black musicians and performers in Britain.
The event set the tone for a month of reflection, creativity, and celebration under the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”
Our Social Media Campaign
Throughout October, we turned our focus to the people and stories that continue to shape society.
Our social media campaign invited staff, trustees and Routes2Success role models to each highlight a figure they felt deserved the spotlight, recognising their lasting contributions to Black British history and the ways they have inspired change and pride in their communities.
From the courageous members of the Mangrove Nine, who stood against racial injustice by the police in 1970s Britain, to Olive Elaine Morris, a fearless activist and community leader whose legacy continues to inspire grassroots movements today, we’ve spent this month honouring pioneers across art, activism, and community leadership.
Below, you can revisit some of the remarkable figures we spotlighted — individuals who continue to remind us of the power of resilience, representation, and history in shaping our collective story.
Barbara Blake-Hannah
Barbara Blake-Hannah made history in 1968 as the first Black woman to regularly report on UK television. Though her career at Thames TV was cut short due to racial prejudice, she went on to work with the BBC and later returned to Jamaica to continue her advocacy. Her courage opened doors for future generations of Black women in media.”
Samson ‘Sam’ Uriah Morris
Samson ‘Sam’ Uriah Morris (1908–1976) was a pioneering Pan-African activist and educator. From serving in the British Army to leading Harold Moody’s League of Coloured Peoples, he dedicated his life to equality and community empowerment. His legacy lives on through the Sam Uriah Morris Society in Hackney, which celebrated Black history and pride through local initiatives.”
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s portraits reimagine Black presence with dignity, imagination, and power. Her art doesn’t explain – it simply exists, unapologetically.
Through her vision, she challenges how we see ourselves and celebrates the quiet strength of Black excellence.”
‘Breaking the Colour Bar’ Spoken word
We also looked to the next generation of changemakers through “Breaking the Colour Bar”, a powerful spoken word project created by Year 10 boys from Oasis Hadley Academy through our Routes2Success mentoring programme.
Produced under our Race Equality Action Project (REAP), this piece draws on the struggles and triumphs of the Windrush Generation, exploring how their legacy continues to shape Black British identity today.
Guided by expert role model Hepburn Harrison-Graham, the students worked collaboratively to write and perform verses that honour those who came before them, celebrating strength, resilience, and belonging through the lens of youth voice.
Support us by watching and listening on Spotify, Soundcloud and Youtube.
Celebrating beyond October
As this year’s Black History Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that the work of celebrating, uplifting, and amplifying Black voices doesn’t end here. Every story we’ve shared from trailblazers, to the young people creating new legacies through Breaking the Colour Bar — reflects a wider truth:
Black history is a living, evolving force that shapes the world we live in today.
At ARE, we stand firm in our commitment to ensuring that these stories continue to be told, not just in October but throughout the year. Whether through mentoring, education, storytelling, or advocacy, we’ll keep working alongside communities to challenge injustice, inspire pride, and celebrate the brilliance of Black British heritage every day.
Because to stand firm in power and pride is not just to look back, it’s to carry those lessons forward, building a future where equality, representation, and justice are not goals, but givens.
For more information about our work or to get in touch, please contact hello@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
